JERMAIN DEFOE eased Tottenham's woes after a frustrating week here.

Defoe scored a hat-trick and made a goal for Clint Dempsey as Spurs thrashed South China in the Asia Trophy third place play-off.

Andros Townsend and an own goal made up the tally and put a smile on manager Andres Villas-Boas whose has been left frustrated by the continued speculation over Real Madrid target Gareth Bale's future, Valencia's unwillingness to sell striker Robert Soldado for less than 23m pounds and an injury that will keep defender Jan Vertonghen out of the rest of the pre-season preparations.

Jermain Defoe bagged a hat-trick

Spurs thrashed South China in the Asia Trophy third place play-off

Vertonghen damaged ankle ligaments in the 3-1 defeat to Sunderland on Wednesday but Spurs had no problems sweeping aside moderate South China in an embarrasingly one-sided game played on a pitch that resembled a beach after tons of sand had been used to make the surface playable.

The pitch is in such a poor state Manchester United have cancelled their training session at the Hong Kong stadium to avoid further damage to the surface ahead of their friendly with Kitchee FC on Monday.